Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is grappling with persistent water blockage issues, largely due to irregular desilting and a lack of a comprehensive survey of encroachments along canals and stormwater drains (SWDs). This has been a long-standing issue, particularly pronounced in key zones like Tiruvottiyur, Tondiarpet, Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar, Ambattur, Anna Nagar, Teynampet, Kodambakkam, and Perungudi, where no simultaneous encroachment surveys have been conducted along major water channels.
In Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar, officials identified 118 encroachments along the Gandhi Canal in Taramani, with plans for eviction contingent on the allocation of funds for alternative housing. Meanwhile, the Kolathur Canal remains unsurveyed. Senior officials admitted there is no uniform data on encroachments across all wards, prompting calls for the Revenue and Finance (R&F) departments to implement consistent surveys across all 15 zones. However, an R&F department official clarified that since 2014, zonal officials independently manage encroachment cases, diminishing the department’s direct oversight role.
In Kodambakkam Zone, no surveys have commenced, and illegal construction remains a problem. In West Mambalam’s Jothi Nagar, approximately 100 unauthorized tenements sit atop an SWD, while Sarathy Nagar harbors over 200 encroachments. Despite repeated notices, residents refuse to vacate. This situation is exacerbated by the lack of an underground drainage system, causing sewage to flow directly into SWDs, increasing stress during the monsoon.
Encroachments behind the MGR Canal hinder GCC’s efforts to widen SWDs, crucial for alleviating flooding in adjacent areas. Past clearing efforts in streets like Rajamannar and Ramasamy have highlighted the importance of these initiatives. In Tondiarpet Zone, officials have yet to verify encroachments around critical canals, and awareness of annual enumeration is limited among zonal officials, who often react based on resident complaints or ward meetings.
While GCC manages Otteri Nullah and Virugambakkam Canal, officials stress the responsibility of the Water Resources Department (WRD) in surveying illegal sewage outlets and encroachments, as the land belongs to them. Despite the disruptions from encroachments, which officials claim impede water flow, eviction plans require police assistance. A Thiru-Vi-Ka Zone official noted that illegal sewage outlets due to inadequate drainage infrastructure significantly pressure the system during heavy rains, a concern highlighted to the Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewage Board, which has promised remedial action.
The challenges faced in desilting SWDs are compounded by concrete structures like steps and ramps built by residents, which are frequently rebuilt after being demolished during desilting operations. Engineers express concerns over the societal impacts of large-scale evictions, affecting low-income families and disrupting communities. R. Loganathan of the CPI (M) in North Chennai argued that the main issue is not encroachments, but the infrequent desilting and deepening of water bodies and SWDs, which should be a year-round effort rather than a pre-monsoon rush.
Deputy Mayor M. Magesh Kumaar maintains that GCC is proactive in clearing encroachments and that they are not the primary obstacle to efficient water management. He emphasized the Corporation’s ongoing commitment to addressing these issues. As the city continues to address these significant challenges, the focus remains on finding sustainable solutions to mitigate flooding and water blockage across Chennai’s complex urban landscape.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/encroachments-irregular-desilting-clog-chennais-stormwater-drain-network/article69282855.ece
Category : Chennai
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Publish Date: 2025-03-06 01:30:00
